Cooper-Hall debate called off

Republican congressional candidate David Hall has made the question, “Where’s Jim Cooper,” a staple of his campaign. Hall has filmed a television spot and created an entire Web site centered around the notion that U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper has been nowhere to be found.

But given the chance to engage his opponent in an open forum this week, Hall backed down. The two candidates were scheduled to take part in a question-and-answer session on Friday hosted by the Nashville Women’s Political Caucus.

After initially agreeing to appear, Hall backed out, telling supporters that he didn’t feel like people should have to pay to attend. The session included breakfast at the Mad Platter and cost $15 for members and $20 for non-members.

“It was simply too important to David that people not be forced to pay to attend the only head-to-head discussion of the issues between the two candidates,” an e-mail from the Hall campaign read.

NWPC executive director Joyce McDaniel said refunds were given to those who requested them after Hall dropped out. The forum will still take place and Cooper is still planning to attend. The NWPC Web site has not been updated to reflect Hall’s dropping out.

McDaniel said the caucus is nonpartisan and that both political parties would have been well-represented at the forum. With election day one week away, the candidates have not yet had a debate.

“I am shocked, based on his reason that it wasn’t free,” McDaniel said. “I was contemplating moving it (to the Nashville Children’s Theater) because of the response.”